This website will tell you something about who we are and what we do. It may even capture a little of our wonderful atmosphere. Of course, there’s nothing quite like coming here to see for yourself, so if you are able to visit, then we would be delighted to welcome you. We can show you around our beautifully designed buildings set in a rolling landscape of playgrounds and woodland. You can meet my fantastic staff, both teaching and administrative. You will see children attending to serious study or playing together in the break-times. You might even catch some of our after-school activities of which there are many. If you meet the parents at either end of the school day, you will find yourself in a happy conversation among friends.

Over the years that I have been here I have seen the school grow from a small group set up to care for the children of British Embassy staff to a thriving institution with pupils from all over the world. In the meantime, we have become a school of choice for Turkish families in Ankara who value our international flavour, excellent academic standards and outstanding facilities. For all the changes, however, our ethos of courtesy, calm and creativity remains the same now as it was then (and we are still non-profit making so we can concentrate all our attention and resources on the welfare of our pupils). At the same time, as a member of the Executive Committee of COBIS (Council of British International Schools) I am able not only to share in the ideas of others but to lead with our own. Our innovative and highly effective policies now influence teaching in British schools worldwide.

When I ask myself what the school means to me, I have to say that of course it’s more than a collection of buildings - although our facilities are truly exceptional, especially the new library and science labs! In many ways, the strength of the school lies in its values of care and consideration. But these values depend on the teachers who uphold them (which is why we readily exploit our reputation by picking only the brightest and best). The teachers, in turn, rely on the support of our dedicated administrative staff. Meanwhile, we all benefit enormously from the parents who give so much through the parents’ association and the board of governors. And then, of course, central to everything are the children. On reflection, I would say that all of these come together in a sense of family in which each individual is valued for who they are and, because everyone is valued, we all value each other. That’s probably what you’ll feel most when you come to see us. It is a family that spans generations and in many ways, due to the nature of being an international school, spans the world.

One of our teachers was asked recently what the day held in store for her. “Today?” she replied, “It’s just a normal extraordinary day.” However long I’ve been here, every day still feels unique and every one of our children remains special in their own particular way. We strongly feel that there is something unique and special about the British Embassy School Ankara and warmly invite you to come and find out for yourselves or to contact us with any questions you may have.

We look forward to meeting you and your child.

With best wishes,

Dawn Akyurek
Head Teacher